The President today declared an emergency exists in the
State of New Hampshire and ordered Federal aid to supplement State
and local recovery efforts in the area struck by the record/near
record snow on February 17-18, 2003.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to the
State and eligible local governments in the counties of Cheshire,
Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, and Strafford.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is now
incorporated into the Department of Homeland Security, Emergency
Preparedness and Response Directorate, intends to provide
assistance for emergency protective measures undertaken to save
lives, protect public health and safety, and property. The
assistance will be provided for a period of 48 hours.

Representing FEMA, Michael D. Brown, Acting Under Secretary for
Emergency Preparedness and Response, named James N. Russo as the
Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the
affected area.